Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has shifted his position on book bans in schools, endorsing a House proposal targeting 'bad-faith objections' to school library books. In a Thursday press conference, Governor DeSantis clarified that Florida permits objections without resorting to outright bans.

DeSantis criticized those exploiting the process for political gain. He also dismissed claims that Florida uses book bans as a 'false narrative.'

Legislation Impacting Book Bans

Legislation such as the Parental Rights in Education Bill and the Stop WOKE Act has contributed to book restrictions in Florida schools. The Don't Say Gay law has also contributed to this shift. 

Under HB 1069, anyone in Florida can challenge books in school libraries, leading to bans on materials addressing race, sex, and gender. Despite prior support from groups like Moms for Liberty, DeSantis suggested limiting challenges and tying them to having children in school to discourage frivolous objections. 

Proposed Legislation and Response to Lawsuit

House Bill HB 7025 proposes imposing $100 processing fees for unsuccessful book objections. These fees would apply to individuals without a child in the school where the material is located and those who have unsuccessfully objected to five materials during the calendar year. Objections deemed valid or justified are subject to a financial refund by the school districts.

Governor DeSantis' decision was made after a recent lawsuit in federal court last month. In the lawsuit, District Judge Kent Wetherell issued a ruling against the Escambia County School Board for banning more than 1,500 books, some of which are dictionaries, under HB 1069. The judge determined that these book removals violated the First Amendment and rejected the state's argument. DeSantis, however, was not named in the lawsuit.

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Based on the House staff analysis of the bill, Florida encountered 1,218 objections to books in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, leading to the removal of 386 books. The majority of these removals occurred in Clay and Escambia counties.

The legislation, addressing various education matters, is set for consideration by the full House following approval from three panels. In contrast, comparable Senate bills do not incorporate fees for book objections.

DeSantis' Critique of Book Objections

Governor DeSantis criticized instances of individuals objecting to numerous books, emphasizing that such actions are inappropriate. He proposed legislative changes to limit challenges and tie them to having children in school, discouraging what he considers frivolous objections.

DeSantis refuted reports of banning books like "Romeo and Juliet" and the biography of Roberto Clemente. He claimed that such information is false and pointed to the book's inclusion in the education department's "Book of the Month" list. However, evidence suggests hundreds of titles have been temporarily removed from school shelves.

In a press release, DeSantis linked a video supporting the state's book challenge policy as a parental empowerment system. It highlighted explicit sections of certain books, arguing against their inclusion in school collections.

DeSantis claimed that no dictionaries or thesauruses were removed by any district in Florida, contradicting evidence. The governor's statements during the press conference suggested a shift in his position and a response to criticism of the book challenge process.

RELATED ARTICLE: Federal Judge Allows Lawsuit Over Book Bans in Escambia County, Florida to Proceed